Topic
Air Quality
√ NY Agencies
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Responsible for updating and enforcing the Air Pollution Control Code (Air Code) with the goal to preserve, protect, and improve the air resources of the city. Mayor’s Management Report
Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
Committed to improving air quality and reducing disparities in ambient pollution level exposures by setting specific targets for reductions in PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide (SO2) by 2030.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
Established the New York City Community Air Survey (NYCCAS), the largest ongoing urban air monitoring program in the U.S., to collect and provide data on air quality. Mayor’s Management Report
√ Reports
New York City Community Air Survey (NYCCAS)
The NYCCAS is an annual report produced by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) that provides information on air quality in different neighborhoods throughout the city. The report measures levels of pollutants such as particulate matter and ozone, and provides recommendations for reducing exposure to air pollution.
New York City's Air Pollution Control Code
The Air Pollution Control Code is a report produced by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that outlines regulations and standards for reducing air pollution from stationary sources such as factories and power plants. The report includes rules for emissions testing, reporting, and enforcement, and is regularly updated to reflect advances in pollution control technology.
New York City's Roadmap to 80x50
The Roadmap to 80×50 is a report produced by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability that outlines a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The report includes strategies for reducing emissions from transportation, buildings, and waste, which are major sources of air pollution in the city.
New York State's Clean Energy Standard
The Clean Energy Standard is a report produced by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) that outlines a plan to increase the use of renewable energy in the state. The report includes a goal of generating 50% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030, which will reduce emissions from power plants and improve air quality.
New York City Community Air Survey (NYCCAS)
The NYCCAS is an annual report produced by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) that provides information on air quality in different neighborhoods throughout the city. The report measures levels of pollutants such as particulate matter and ozone, and provides recommendations for reducing exposure to air pollution.
New York City's Air Pollution Control Code
The Air Pollution Control Code is a report produced by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that outlines regulations and standards for reducing air pollution from stationary sources such as factories and power plants. The report includes rules for emissions testing, reporting, and enforcement, and is regularly updated to reflect advances in pollution control technology.
New York City's Roadmap to 80x50
The Roadmap to 80×50 is a report produced by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability that outlines a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The report includes strategies for reducing emissions from transportation, buildings, and waste, which are major sources of air pollution in the city.
New York State's Clean Energy Standard
The Clean Energy Standard is a report produced by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) that outlines a plan to increase the use of renewable energy in the state. The report includes a goal of generating 50% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030, which will reduce emissions from power plants and improve air quality.
√ Data sets
the NYC air quality data hub
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) maintains a database of air quality monitoring data from various sources throughout the state, including New York City. The data set includes measurements of criteria pollutants, such as ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide, as well as air toxics and other pollutants.
Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a database of air quality monitoring data from various sources throughout the United States, including New York City. The data set includes measurements of criteria pollutants, such as ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides, as well as air toxics and other pollutants.
New York City Open Data
New York City Open Data provides access to a variety of data sets related to air quality, including data on greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and more.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
NYSDEC maintains air quality monitoring stations across New York State, including in New York City. They provide air quality data through the Air Quality Index (AQI), which includes measurements of various pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.
√ Data visualizations
Environment and Health Data Portal
Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website provides a dashboard that shows real-time air quality data from monitoring stations throughout the state, including several in New York City. The dashboard shows the concentration of pollutants such as PM2.5, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide, and provides color-coded ratings of air quality levels based on the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Air Quality Maps
The Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) Air Quality Maps website provides interactive maps that show air quality data from monitoring stations throughout the United States, including several in New York City. The maps show the concentration of pollutants such as PM2.5, ozone, and sulfur dioxide, and allow users to compare air quality in different cities and regions.
Public Health Impacts of PM2.5
√ STATISTICS
Decrease in PM 2.5 in NYC
%
since 2009
Traffic-related air pollution
Premature deaths
Air Complaints Received
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
Data from the largest urban air monitoring program of any U.S. city show annual average levels of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO) have declined 43%, 39% and 56%, respectively since 2009. Source: Department of Health and Human Services
Traffic-related air pollution
Traffic is a major source of air pollution in New York City, especially in densely populated areas with high levels of vehicle traffic. According to a report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, an estimated 2,700 premature deaths and 100,000 emergency department visits and hospitalizations each year in the city are attributed to traffic-related air pollution.
Disparities in exposure
Air pollution is not evenly distributed across New York City, and low-income communities and communities of color are often disproportionately exposed to higher levels of pollution. According to the New York City Community Air Survey, neighborhoods with high poverty rates and high percentages of people of color have higher levels of PM2.5 and ozone than wealthier and whiter neighborhoods.
Ozone
According to the New York City Community Air Survey, the annual average ozone concentration in the city was 28 parts per billion in 2019. This is down from 34 parts per billion in 2008, but still higher than the national standard of 15 parts per billion. Source: Community Air Survey
Decrease in PM 2.5 in NYC
%
since 2009
Traffic-related air pollution
Premature deaths
Air Complaints Received
In its annual Mayor’s Management report, the DEP reported receiving 12,326 air complaints. Source: Department of Environmental Protection – MMR
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
Data from the largest urban air monitoring program of any U.S. city show annual average levels of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO) have declined 43%, 39% and 56%, respectively since 2009. Source: Department of Health and Human Services
Traffic-related air pollution
Traffic is a major source of air pollution in New York City, especially in densely populated areas with high levels of vehicle traffic. According to a report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, an estimated 2,700 premature deaths and 100,000 emergency department visits and hospitalizations each year in the city are attributed to traffic-related air pollution.
Disparities in exposure
Air pollution is not evenly distributed across New York City, and low-income communities and communities of color are often disproportionately exposed to higher levels of pollution. According to the New York City Community Air Survey, neighborhoods with high poverty rates and high percentages of people of color have higher levels of PM2.5 and ozone than wealthier and whiter neighborhoods.
Ozone
According to the New York City Community Air Survey, the annual average ozone concentration in the city was 28 parts per billion in 2019. This is down from 34 parts per billion in 2008, but still higher than the national standard of 15 parts per billion. Source: Community Air Survey
√ Census & American Community Survey
Housing units
Commuting patterns
Income and poverty
Demographic characteristics
Housing units
Commuting patterns
Income and poverty
Demographic characteristics
√ Non-Profits
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)
NYLPI is a non-profit legal organization that works to protect the rights of low-income and marginalized communities in New York City. They have a Clean Air & Climate Justice program that advocates for stronger air pollution regulations and supports community efforts to reduce pollution.
WE ACT for Environmental Justice
WE ACT is a Harlem-based environmental justice organization that works to promote environmental sustainability and address environmental injustices in low-income communities and communities of color. They advocate for policies and programs that reduce air pollution and promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.
New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA)
NYC-EJA is a non-profit organization that works to address environmental injustices in low-income communities and communities of color. They advocate for policies and programs that reduce air pollution and promote environmental sustainability, and provide technical assistance and capacity building to community organizations.
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
NRDC is a national environmental advocacy organization with a New York City office that works to protect public health and the environment. They have a Clean Air & Climate program that advocates for stronger air pollution regulations and works to reduce emissions from transportation, buildings, and power plants.
Clean Air Task Force
The Clean Air Task Force is a national non-profit organization that works to reduce air pollution and address climate change. They have a New York City office and work on initiatives such as reducing emissions from buildings and transportation, and promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.
√ Experts
V. Faye McNeill - Columbia University
V. Faye McNeill is a professor of chemical engineering and earth and environmental sciences at Columbia University. She is an atmospheric chemist and expert in air quality. She has been studying air pollution in New York City for many years and is a leading expert on the topic.
Rohit T. Aggarwala - DEP
Rohit T. “Rit” Aggarwala is commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and the City’s Chief Climate Officer. Prior to the Adams administration, Aggarwala served as the first Director of the New York City Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability.
Julie Herbstman - Columbia University
Trained as an epidemiologist, Julie Herbstman’s research focuses on the impact of prenatal exposures to environmental pollutants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on child growth and development.
Ilias Kavouras - CUNY SPH
Professor Kavouras’ research lies on the interface of chemical and health sciences to understand the coupling of atmospheric pollution and human health including the role of climate change. His research focuses on particulate matter sources and composition, development of aerosol characterization technologies, wildfires smoke emissions, geospatial, receptor and inverse modeling, and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
David Robinson - Rutgers
Dr. Robinson’s primary research interests include climate and climate change; in particular, state and regional climate and climate change issues, hemispheric and regional snow cover dynamics, interactions of snow cover with other climate elements, the dynamics of solar and terrestrial radiative fluxes at and close to the surface of the earth, and the collection and archiving of accurate climatic data.
√ Non-Profits
√ Experts
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)
NYLPI is a non-profit legal organization that works to protect the rights of low-income and marginalized communities in New York City. They have a Clean Air & Climate Justice program that advocates for stronger air pollution regulations and supports community efforts to reduce pollution.
New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA)
NYC-EJA is a non-profit organization that works to address environmental injustices in low-income communities and communities of color. They advocate for policies and programs that reduce air pollution and promote environmental sustainability, and provide technical assistance and capacity building to community organizations.
Natural Resources Defense Council
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) – NRDC is a national environmental advocacy organization with a New York City office that works to protect public health and the environment. They have a Clean Air & Climate program that advocates for stronger air pollution regulations and works to reduce emissions from transportation, buildings, and power plants.
WE ACT for Environmental Justice
WE ACT is a Harlem-based environmental justice organization that works to promote environmental sustainability and address environmental injustices in low-income communities and communities of color. They advocate for policies and programs that reduce air pollution and promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Clean Air Task Force
The Clean Air Task Force is a national non-profit organization that works to reduce air pollution and address climate change. They have a New York City office and work on initiatives such as reducing emissions from buildings and transportation, and promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.
V. Faye McNeill - Columbia University
V. Faye McNeill is a professor of chemical engineering and earth and environmental sciences at Columbia University. She is an atmospheric chemist and expert in air quality. She has been studying air pollution in New York City for many years and is a leading expert on the topic.
Ilias Kavouras - CUNY SPH
Professor Kavouras’ research lies on the interface of chemical and health sciences to understand the coupling of atmospheric pollution and human health including the role of climate change. His research focuses on particulate matter sources and composition, development of aerosol characterization technologies, wildfires smoke emissions, geospatial, receptor and inverse modeling, and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
David Robinson - Rutgers
Dr. Robinson’s primary research interests include climate and climate change; in particular, state and regional climate and climate change issues, hemispheric and regional snow cover dynamics, interactions of snow cover with other climate elements, the dynamics of solar and terrestrial radiative fluxes at and close to the surface of the earth, and the collection and archiving of accurate climatic data.
Julie Herbstman - Columbia University
Trained as an epidemiologist, Julie Herbstman’s research focuses on the impact of prenatal exposures to environmental pollutants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on child growth and development.
Rohit T. Aggarwala - DEP
√ Journal Articles
"Inequitable Exposure to Air Pollution from Vehicles in New York State: Who Bears the Burden?"
Tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks, and buses are a leading source of harmful air pollution in New York State. This pollution has a significant impact on the health of the region’s residents, and varies greatly geographically and across different types of communities.
THE NEW YORK CITY CARBON CHARGE ("NY3C")
Fordham Environmental Law Review. This paper seeks to provide a blueprint for unlocking municipalities’ latent power to regulate carbon emissions within their jurisdictions through the use of a carbon charge. It uses New York City as a case study.
"New Jersey: A Case Study of the Reduction in Urban and Suburban Air Pollution from the 1950s to 2010"
This paper traces the changes in air pollution in New Jersey as a case study, demonstrating the impact of local, state, and federal strategies to control emissions of pollutants and pollutant precursors from the 1950s until today.
"Short report: Children living in areas with more street trees have lower prevalence of asthma"
The prevalence of childhood asthma in the USA increased by 50% from 1980 to 2000, with especially high prevalence in poor urban communities. Street trees were associated with a lower prevalence of early childhood asthma.
√ Key Issues
Particulate Matter (PM) Pollution
Ozone Pollution
Traffic Congestion
Environmental Justice
Climate Change
√ Social Media Accounts
NYClimate
NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice. Building a carbon-neutral and resilient city for 8.3 million New Yorkers.
NYCEJAlliance
NYC Environmental Justice Alliance: Over 30 years of fighting for healthier and more just communities – one block at a time.
weact4ej
WE ACT for Environmental Justice has been combating environmental racism and building healthy communities for people of color since 1988.